Armenian government will not leave flood-affected population alone:  Prime Minister

ArmInfo.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the disaster zone, Lori and Tavush regions, and got  acquainted with the progress of rehabilitation works in the flood-affected settlements.

As reported by the press service of the RA government, the first stop  of the Prime Minister was on the 31st km section of the  Vanadzor-Alaverdi M6 interstate highway, near the "Tufenkian" hotel.  The progress of the works was presented to the Head of the Government  and it was noted that the collapsed road was filled, retaining walls  were installed, as a result of which the traffic was restored.  Traffic on the road collapsed by floods in Marts village section of  the Vanadzor-Alaverdi interstate road was also restored through  filling.  Next, Nikol Pashinyan visited the Sanahin Station district  of Alaverdi and talked with the residents. It was reported that the  works of eliminating the consequences of flooding and restoring  infrastructure are also in progress there.

The Prime Minister visited Tumanyan Street in Alaverdi, where  restoration works were also carried out. As a result, operation of  some shops and service facilities has been resumed.

The Head of the Government visited Akhtala settlement, which was  isolated due to the collapse of the bridge. Construction of the  temporary bridge is currently underway. The bridge is being built  with metal constructions, designed for passenger cars. It will  provide connection to 6 settlements. Emphasis was placed on the  prompt and quality implementation of works. At the same time, it was  reported that the operational headquarters of the government provided  the local residents with the necessary food and other basic  necessities. Nikol Pashinyan also visited Chochkan settlement, which  had been isolated due to floods, but the connection of which with  other settlements has been restored.

Next, the Prime Minister visited Karkop, where rehabilitation works  are also being carried out after the floods. Water and electricity  supply have also been partially restored here.  Nikol Pashinyan  visited Ayrum, where railway bridge was damaged by floods, the  customs terminal of the "Damuar Group" company in Ayrum was also  damaged.

In Tavush region, the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the  service of the border guard troops of the NSS stationed in the  Baghanis-Kirants sector. Here, Prime Minister Pashinyan was informed  that during the day no violation of the border was recorded, no  extraordinary incidents and accidents occurred.

The Head of the Government also familiarized himself with the  progress of the construction of Kirants new road, and the repair  works of the existing Kirants-Acharkut road. The Prime Minister  instructed the officials to pay special attention to the quality  implementation of the works and emphasized the importance of putting  them into operation within the specified time.

Nikol Pashinyan was also in Khashtarak, where the local bridge  collapsed due to floods. It was reported that the settlement has an  alternate route. Despite this, the Prime Minister instructed to start  the reconstruction works of the bridge as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister's visit ended with a consultation held at the  Tavush Governor's Office, which was attended by Minister of  Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Deputy  Minister of Internal Affairs - Director of the Rescue Service of the  Ministry of Internal Affairs Kamo Tsutsulyan, Chairman of the Urban  Development Committee Yeghiazar Vardanyan, Governors of Lori and  Tavush, heads of flood-affected communities and other officials.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that a decision should be made to provide  support for the repair or restoration of apartments to the affected  owners according to the square meter of the apartment. At the same  time, it was emphasized that support will also be provided in the  direction of furnishing. The Prime Minister emphasized that the  government will not leave the flood-affected population alone. Nikol  Pashinyan added that another solution will be developed for the  residential buildings affected by the floods.

The Prime Minister emphasized the implementation of supplies through  temporarily built bridges and emphasized that new bridges will be  built in place of the broken bridges, taking into account the  experience with floods. "In my opinion, the priority is to support  people to return to their apartments. In most of them, it is not  possible to live without significant repair work," said Nikol  Pashinyan and instructed the Ministry of Territorial Administration  and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Urban  Development Committee and the regional administrations to submit  recommendations on priorities. "It is necessary to focus on the  things that are necessary to restore the normal life of people," said  the Prime Minister.

On May 26, northern Armenia experienced flooding caused by heavy  rainfall, heavy rain and the overflow of the Debed River, causing  significant destruction of infrastructure and the death of at least  four people.  According to information provided by the republic's  Ministry of Internal Affairs on May 26, the disaster damaged roads,  bridges and railway lines. In order to eliminate the consequences of  the disaster, an operational group was formed under the leadership of  the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the  Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan.